Filmaffinity
It’s difficult to put into words the emotional rollercoaster that embarking on the journey of BoJack Horseman meant to me, Netflix’s groundbreaking series about an anthropomorphic horse seeking to reconnect with fame and relevance in Hollywood.
As fans surely know, we follow BoJack, who reached stardom in the 90’s with his sitcom “Horsin’ Around”, as he wrestles with inner demons and tries to navigate the complexities of personal relationships. And what a ride this is...one that plays with our hearts from beginning to end.
Now, I could spend all day talking about how absolutely hilarious and biting the show’s satire of LA’s superficial celebrity culture is. The way it exposes all those toxic dynamics genuinely has me bursting with laughter at how spot-on the observations are. But I think what really hooked me, even more than the humor, was connecting with the more human and vulnerable side of these characters.
One truly feels the pain and confusion overwhelming them as they struggle to cope with depression, substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships...even universal questions about the meaning of life. We’ve all at some point been invaded by that feeling when you have nothing better to do on a Saturday night than eat junk food on the couch while binging your favorite show for the umpteenth time. No? Well, at least I have.
What I’m getting at is that even if these are cartoon animals, their problems and longings feel astonishingly human and real. It’s very easy to identify when they tackle such sensitive issues with so much authenticity.
And the characters...they’re awesome! BoJack clearly takes home all the applause here. Will Arnett delivers a phenomenal vocal performance, taking us into the depths of his insecurities with raw intensity. Kudos also to Amy Sedaris as BoJack’s unflappable feline agent Princess Carolyn. Watching her balance her chaotic career while trying to start a family is simply inspiring.
Then there are the tragically lovable Todd Chávez and Diane Nguyen who slowly but surely find their way in life, making mistakes and learning from them with all the clumsiness of youth. Impossible not to grow fond of them. And don’t even get me started on iconic side characters like the hilarious Mr. Peanutbutter who add the perfect comedic touch to the cast. Each one contributes a key piece to this story.
Of course, with so much drama the tone can sometimes grow too bleak or plot twists feel somewhat contrived. There were genuinely moments where I felt “Enough BoJack, stop beating yourself up, you’re better than this!”. But at the end of the day, you’re not watching any old sitcom, but rather a raw portrayal of the complexities of the tortured soul.
And what an ending they gifted us...still processing it. As in real life, not everything gets wrapped up in a nice little bow. But it leaves us hopeful that as long we keep trying, with friends by our side, we’re going to be okay. Or at least zigzag towards someplace better.
So yeah, when people ask me if I recommend BoJack Horseman I usually warn “Get ready for the emotional ride of your life”. But it’s a ride that’s well worth it. At the end not only will you have laughed hysterically and been moved to tears, but you’ll also feel a little closer to understanding the human condition, and be reminded to hold your loved ones (and yourself) a little tighter.
